Modular and portable target shooting system

ABSTRACT

The modular target shooting system employs tubular members and fittings made from durable materials such as EMT. The members are easily secured together and broken back down by the use of simple thumb screws threaded into weld nuts. The system is based on standard target module that includes a stanchion made from a single vertical support member and a single support base. The base has at least three feet that are deployed to provide stability, but can also pivot upwardly from the deployed position to aid in portability. The module typically has at least one horizontal support member that is used to support at least one steel target rotatably coupled to the horizontal member. The standard target module also typically has a zone target that usually includes a paper depiction of an animal or a person, or a circular target. The system can then be easily expanded horizontally by adding as many target modules as desired, and coupling them together with tubular single and double T connectors to horizontal members commonly coupled between the target modules for even greater stability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/994,865 filed May 17, 2014 and entitled “SAFETY SCREEN APPARATUSAND METHOD,” and which is incorporated in its entirety herein by thisreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to equipment used by those practicingthe discharge of firearms, and more specifically to such equipment usedto provide targets for shooting practice at appropriate locations suchas shooting ranges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of apparatus for providing targets for the practiceof shooting projectiles have been developed since the Egyptians inventedthe bow. Firearms have been around since the 14^(th) century, and thedevelopment of targets for the practice of shooting using firearms soonfollowed. Target shooting provides a means for developing and measuringone's shooting accuracy as well as recreation.

Various designs have been implemented by which to provide an indicationas feedback to the user that a target has been in fact, effectively hitwith a shot. One such feedback is auditory in nature and provides a ringto indicate a hit. Others are designed to break, and must be replacedonce all targets have been hit and broken. Dueling trees are targetsthat typically display targets in a vertical orientation and aredesigned to spin around an axis, back and forth over 180 degrees whenhit to provide the desired feedback. Paper targets are also popular, andprovide feedback through holes in the paper indicating the location ofwhether the paper target was hit.

FIGS. 1A through 1F illustrate some examples of known apparatus commonlyemployed to provide targets for practice and competition firing ranges.The example 102 shown in FIG. 1A employs a sawhorse type of supportstructure 104 to which various targets such as bottles 110 and plates108 can be attached. The legs 106 are able to swing apart to establishstability, and swing closed for moving the structure between locations.As can be seen, the number and types of targets and the height at whichthey may be deployed is limited by the dimensions of the structure.Replacement of destroyed targets is tedious and time-consuming.

FIG. 1B shows structure 114 providing a single target 116 that iselevated by post 118 coupled to stand 120. The portability of structure114 is questionable and the single target is not very interesting.

Structure 150 of FIG. 1C also provides a single paper target 151, framedby four members 152 coupled together by elbow connectors 154 and Tconnectors 156. The paper target 151 is secured to the four members 152using clips or fasteners 158. T connectors 156 also couple legs 160 tothe members 152, which elevate target 151. Ends 162 of legs 160 aresharper and designed to be inserted into the ground to establishstability of the structure 150 in the upright position. Requiringinsertion of the ends 162 of legs 160 into the ground limits thestructure's use to those places where the ground can be penetrated, andlimits ease of portability.

Target structure 170 of FIG. 1D has a frame 172 and legs 174 of frame172 are also designed to be inserted into the ground. Dual target 178 iscoupled to the top of the frame 172 at 178 and can be made to pivotabout coupling point 178. Again, portability and site selection arelimited by requiring insertion of legs 174 into the ground. Targetselection is once again, limited.

Target structure 180 of FIG. 1E provides multiple dual targets 188 thatare able to pivot around horizontal member 186 when hit by a projectile.Member 186 is supported by legs two sets of legs 182 a and 182 b, thelegs of each set being adjustable about pivot adjustment mechanism 184,and each leg of both sets having feet 180 to provide stability.

FIG. 1F illustrates a dueling tree type of target structure 190 thatincludes a vertical structural support member 196 and an axle supportmember 194 to which alternating targets 192 are rotatably coupled. Stand197 with feet 198 slideably joins with vertical member 196 to help itstand up and to increase portability.

All of the foregoing examples of known target shooting structuresincorporate a single type of shooting target, but none of them arecapable of being easily integrated into more complex structures, eitheras multiple versions of the same target type, or as an integrated systemof different types of target types. Moreover, not only is not possibleto easily integrate these structures into more complex targetstructures, it is not clear from these examples of how one could do soand maintain the ease of portability that would also be highlydesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular and portable shooting range target system is disclosed thatexploits a small number of standard components to facilitate the easyintegration of a plurality of known target types to flexibly produce atarget shooting system of various levels of complexity as desired.Regardless of the level of complexity produced, the system is able toremain highly portable and variable through the easy assembly,disassembly and reassembly of a standard number of interchangeablecomponents, all of which are coupled and secured together using simplethumb screws and weld nuts to make the rendering of ever expandingtarget shooting systems easy to assemble and easy to re-configure, andeasy to quickly transport to other locations.

The components are strong but lightweight. The targets are durable andthe basic modules are made up of a single stanchion having a supportbase that folds upwardly for portability, and a limited number ofconnectors and connecting members that permit the modules to be simplyinterconnected to produce embodiments of increasing complexity asdesired by a user.

In one aspect of the invention, a modular target shooting system isdisclosed that includes at least one target module. Each target moduleincludes a single vertical support member and a single support baseremovably coupled to a proximal end of the vertical support member. Thesupport base supports a distal end of the vertical support member in asubstantially vertical orientation with respect to a surface upon whichit rests. At least one horizontal support member is removably coupled tothe vertical support member in a substantially perpendicular orientationto the vertical support member and is therefore parallel to the restingsurface. At least one target is removably coupled to the module.

In an embodiment, the single vertical support member and the at leastone horizontal member are tubular.

In further embodiments, the at least one horizontal support member isremovably coupled to the single vertical support member with a tubular Tconnector, the at least one horizontal support member and the singlevertical support member being removably secured within the T connectorby a thumb screw.

In other embodiments, the at least one target is coupled to the at leastone horizontal support member, the at least one target has a tube mountfitting that is sized to rotatably receive the horizontal supportmember, the target is constrained in the horizontal direction along thehorizontal support member by locking collars secured to the at least onehorizontal member on either side of the tube mount fitting.

In another embodiment, the coupled at least one target is free to rotateabout the at least one horizontal member, and the weight of the at leastone target causes the target to rotate away from a shooter, therebyabsorbing impact of projectiles and encouraging a downward momentum ofany resulting shrapnel.

In another embodiment, the single base further comprises an end cap thatis removably coupled to the proximate end of the single vertical supportmember, and has at least three feet, a proximal end of each of the atleast three feet being pivotably being coupled to the end cap, each ofthe at least three feet is configured to be pivoted between, and fixedat, a fully deployed supporting state and a refracted state.

In still further embodiments, the single base further includes a slidingguide through which the single vertical support member is disposed. Eachof the at least three feet are in pivotal communication with the slidingguide so that raising the sliding guide along the single verticalsupport member causes the feet to pivot into the retracted state.Lowering the sliding guide along the single vertical support membercauses the feet to pivot into a deployed state. The sliding guideincludes a thumb screw that is capable of being brought into securingcontact with the single vertical support member when tightened toprevent the guide from sliding.

In another embodiment the at least one target is a zone target

In still further embodiments the zone target is a paper target disposedbetween two zone target horizontal members coupled to the singlevertical support member.

In other embodiments the at least one target is a dueling tree targetcoupled to the single vertical support member.

In an embodiment the at least one target module includes at least onetarget coupled to at least one horizontal support member that is coupledto the single vertical support member, and a zone target coupled to thesingle vertical support member.

In additional embodiments, system of the invention includes at least twotarget modules. The at least two target modules are coupled together bya horizontal target configuration, the horizontal target configurationincluding a horizontal support member and one or more targets coupledthereto.

In further embodiments, the single vertical support member and the atleast one horizontal support member are made from electrical metallictubing (EMT).

In another embodiment, the single vertical support member is made of twosub-members of equal dimensions removably held together by a tubularconnector sleeve having at least two thumb screws for securing each ofthe sub-members within the connector sleeve.

In other embodiments, sub-members and the at least one horizontal memberare of equal dimension.

In another aspect of the invention, a modular target shooting system ofthe invention includes at least one target module comprising a singlevertical support member made from EMT, a single support base removablycoupled to a proximal end of the vertical support member, the supportbase for supporting a distal end of the vertical support member in asubstantially vertical orientation with respect to a surface upon whichit rests at least one horizontal support member made from EMT, removablycoupled to the vertical support member with a tubular T connector in asubstantially perpendicular orientation to the vertical support memberand parallel to the resting surface at least one steel target rotatablycoupled to the at least one horizontal member at a tube mount fittingthat is sized to rotatably receive the horizontal support member, thesteel target constrained in a horizontal direction by a tubular lockingcollar secured to either side of the tube mount fitting.

In a further embodiment, the system of the invention includes at leastone zone target, the at least one zone target being a paper targetdisposed between two zone target tubular horizontal members coupled tothe tubular single vertical support member.

In another embodiment, the system has at least two target modules, andthe at least two target modules are coupled together by at least onehorizontal target configuration, the at least one horizontal targetconfiguration including a tubular horizontal support member and one ormore steel targets coupled thereto.

In an embodiment, the tubular single vertical support member of at leastone of target modules is coupled to a dueling tree target attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1F are various examples of prior art target shootingstructures;

FIG. 2A is a plan view from behind an embodiment of the target shootingmodule of the invention;

FIG. 2B is plan or profile view from the side of the embodiment of thetarget shooting module of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a plan view from the front of an alternate embodiment of thetarget shooting module of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a plan view from the front of an alternate embodiment of thetarget shooting module of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a plan view of an embodiment of a base of a stanchion of theembodiments of the target shooting module of the invention shown inFIGS. 2A-B and FIGS. 3A-B;

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the embodiment of the base of FIG. 4A with asingle foot in a refracted state FOR easy transport;

FIG. 4C is a view from above the embodiment of the base of FIG. 4A,including a magnified view of an end cap guide for securing the feet ofthe stand to the primary vertical support member;

FIG. 4D is a plan view from above the embodiment of the base of FIG. 4A,illustrating a sliding guide for deploying the feet of the stand for useand retracting the feet for transport;

FIG. 4E is a plan view of an embodiment of the sliding guide of the baseof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a foot of the base of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5B is a view of the bottom of the foot of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a view from the end of the foot of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the top of a large T connector of theinvention that interconnects a horizontal member to the vertical memberthat is of substantially the same diameter as the single verticalsupport member;

FIG. 6B is a plan view of one side of the single T connector of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a large double T connector of the inventionthat interconnects two horizontal members to the single vertical membereach having a diameters that is substantially the same as that of thesingle vertical member;

FIG. 7B is a plan view from one side of the large double T connector ofFIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of the top of a large/small single T connector ofthe invention that interconnects a horizontal member to the singlevertical member that is of a smaller diameter than that of the singlevertical member;

FIG. 8B is a plan view of one side of the large/small single T connectorof FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a plan view of a large/small double T connector of theinvention configured to interconnect two horizontal members to thesingle vertical member each having a diameter that is smaller than thatof the single vertical member;

FIG. 9B is a plan view of one side of the large/small double T connectorof FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a plan view of the side of a locking collar of theinvention;

FIG. 10B is a plan view of an end of the locking collar of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a plan view of the side of a double locking sleeve of theinvention;

FIG. 11B is a plan view of an end of the double locking sleeve of FIG.10A;

FIG. 12A is a plan view of the front of a 4 inch round target of theinvention;

FIG. 12B is a plan view from the side of the 4 inch round target of FIG.12B;

FIG. 13A is a plan view from the front of an 8 inch round target of theinvention;

FIG. 13B is a plan view from the side of the 8 inch round target of FIG.12A;

FIG. 14 is a plan view from the side of a single triangular target ofthe invention showing the natural angle of the target when freelyhanging;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view a dual triangular target of theinvention;

FIG. 15B is a plan view from the side of a dual triangular target ofFIG. 13A;

FIG. 15C is a plan view from the front of a dual triangular target ofFIG. 13B;

FIG. 16A is a plan view from the front of two modules of the inventionintegrated together through a single horizontal member to form a morecomplex target system of the invention;

FIG. 16B is a plan view from the front of two modules of the inventionintegrated together by two horizontal members to form a more complextarget system of the invention;

FIG. 16C is a plan view from the front of two modules of the inventionintegrated together to form a more complex target system of theinvention, where one of the modules includes a dueling tree attachedthereto;

FIG. 16D is a plan view from the front of the two modules of FIG. 16Cwith a third module having a dueling tree to further enhance and expandthe target shooting system of the invention in the horizontal direction;and

FIG. 16E is a plan view from the front of four modules of the inventioncoupled horizontally with two levels of complexity in the horizontaldirection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2A discloses an embodiment of a target shooting system module 200that provides a portable and standalone target shooting system, that canbe easily integrated with other such modules of the invention to easilyform ever more complex target shooting systems. Module 200 includes asingle stanchion formed by a single vertical support member 202 that iscoupled to a single support base 206. Single vertical support member 202can be made up of a single member, or a plurality of sub-members thatare secured together to form a unitary vertical support member. Singlesupport member 202 supports round targets 208 and 210 by way ofhorizontal support members 212 a and 212 b respectively. Targets 208 and210 are secured to members 212 a and 212 b by way of locking collars216. Members 212 a and 212 b are secured to single support member 202 byway of large single T-connectors 214, which have diameters that aresized to receive single vertical member 202 and horizontal supportmembers 212 a, b. Large single T-connectors 214 and locking collars 216are configured to slide over single vertical member 202 and may be fixedat any point along member 202 that yields a desired height for targets208 and 210. A more detailed discussion of T-connectors 214 and lockingcollars 216 will be presented below.

Single vertical support member 202 and horizontal support members 212 a,b, connectors 214, 226 and collars 216 can be made of any suitablematerial having sufficient weather resistance, strength and rigidity tosupport metal targets. Wiring conduit such as electrical metallic tubing(EMT), which is typically manufactured from coated steel or aluminum,works well. The members and fittings can be made a drawn over mandrel(DOM) process. Plastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubingand fittings could also be used, provided that they have the necessaryrigidity and strength to support the targets and remain upright in lessthan ideal weather. Targets 208, 210 can be of any size, such as 4, 6, 8and 10 inch diameters for the round targets. Targets can be made of anydurable and rigid material, but A36 ⅜″ steel is preferable for smallervelocity weapons, and AR500 ⅜″ is preferable for higher velocity targetssuch as rifles.

In an embodiment of module 200, single vertical support 202 can alsosupport a paper target 220, which in combination with target 208, formsa zone target 218. Paper target 220 is attached to and disposed betweenhorizontal members 222 by way of fastening clips 224. Members 222 mayhave a smaller diameter than single vertical support member 202 andhorizontal support members 212 a, b because it is just supporting theweight of paper target 220. Thus, smaller diameter members 222 arecoupled to single vertical support member 202 using large/small single Tconnectors 226. Those of skill in the art will further appreciate thatwhen one of the steel targets such as target 208, is disposed behind thepaper target 220 as illustrated, this will ensure that a hit to adesired area (i.e. zone) of paper target 220 will create a sound thatindicates to a shooter at a distance that a shot was accurately made tohit that zone.

Base 206 provides support and stability for the module 200. Base 206 isconfigured to receive the lower end of single vertical support member202 through a sliding guide 232 and secured within end cap 240. At leastthree feet 234 are rotatably coupled at the end cap 240 by way of andare configured to be deployed perpendicularly to the single verticalsupport member when in use to be in flat contact with the surface of theground, and are further configured to be folded upwardly into a parallelrelationship with the single vertical support member 202 for easytransport to another location. The feet are moved between the fullydeployed and the fully retracted positions through sliding guide 232,support blades 230 and pivot points 231 a and 231 b.

The feet can be locked in either the fully deployed or retractedposition through a locking mechanism 205. Locking mechanism 205 can beimplemented as a thumb screw (not shown) threaded into a weld nut, theend of which engages with the surface of single vertical support member202 as the thumb screw is tightened within the weld nut to prevent thesliding guide from sliding. The locking mechanism 205 will release thesliding guide 232 by loosening the thumb screw. Another implementationcould be a spring-loaded hatch pin that can engage with apertures insingle vertical support member 202 and sliding guide 232 when aligned.Those of skill in the art will appreciate that locking mechanism 205could also be implemented as a pin that is simply manually inserted intoaligned apertures of the guide and support member by a user. A moredetailed discussion of the base 206 and its elements will be presentedbelow.

FIG. 2B provides a profile view of the shooting range module 200 of theinvention, which illustrates that members 222 are coupled to singlevertical support member 202 through a short standoff member 223 thatextends from single vertical support member 202 and is substantiallyperpendicular thereto. Rods 222 can be coupled to standoff segments 222through “T” connectors 227. This extends paper target 220 out away fromthe steel target 208 disposed behind it.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate plan views from the front of furtherembodiments 300 and 350 respectively of the target shooting systemmodule 200. In the case of these embodiments, targets 308 and 374 aredisposed below, rather than behind, paper targets 318 and 368respectively. Targets 210 are raised to a higher level than that oftarget 210 of FIG. 2A. In addition, single vertical support members 202are made up of two sub-members 202 a and 202 b, which are joinedtogether by way of connector sleeve 370. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that forming single vertical support member 202 fromsub-members 202 a and 202 b can make it easier to break down andtransport the module 200, as well as to expand the module 200 in asingle vertical direction by coupling additional sub-members to thesingle vertical support member 202. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that horizontal members 212 a, b can be the same length anddiameter as the sub-members 202 a, b, thereby employing a standard sizedmember for expanding the module in either a single vertical orhorizontal direction, or both.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that paper targets 320 a and320 b can be easily replaced as they are used up, and virtually anydesired design can be used. Further, different types of targets can beused as desired by simply replacing them with targets of other designs.Moreover, targets 308, 310 can be any desired shape, such as diamondshape targets 376 and 374.

FIG. 4A illustrates a plan view of stanchion support base 206, where thelower end of single vertical support member 302 b is inserted throughthe sliding guide 232 and into end cap 240. The lower end of singlevertical support member 302 b is secured in end cap 240 by way of athumb screw/weld nut combination 203. Each of feet 234 are rotatablyattached to end cap 240 at pivot point 448 formed between a foot pivottab (441, FIG. 4B) and an end cap pivot tab (435, FIG. 4B). Each of feet234 is coupled to sliding guide 232 through foot brace 230, which is atone end rotatably coupled at pivot point 231 b to the foot 234 throughbrace pivot stand-off tab 440, and the other end to sliding guide 232 atpivot point 231 a.

FIG. 4B illustrates operation with a single foot 234 for clarity. As thesliding guide 232 is raised upwardly along support sub-member 302 b, thefeet 234 will arc upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 4B for a single foot.Foot 234′ and brace standoff tab 440′ illustrate their positions priorto being retracted. Once feet 234 are brought to a fully retractedposition, thumb screw/weld nut combination 205 can be tightened to holdthe feet in the fully retracted position for easy transport. Likewise,when the thumb screw is loosened within weld nut 205, sliding guide 232can slide downwardly, permitting feet 234 to rotate back to a pointwhere the feet 234 are in contact in a substantially planar positionwith the ground. The thumbscrew can then be tightened once again withinweld nut 205, to fix the sliding guide 232 so that it cannot move andtherefore the feet 234 cannot move and remain fully deployed. Theability to fold the feet into a position in parallel with the singlevertical support member 302 b allows for the feet to be longer,therefore providing increased stability, but without hinderingportability of the module 200, 300, 350.

FIG. 4C is a view from above the base 206 that illustrates how the feet234 are coupled to the end cap guide 240, without the single verticalsupport sub-member 302 b and the braces 230 for clarity. A magnifiedview 401 of the end cap guide 240 is provided that illustrates how thefeet 234 are attached to the end cap guide 240. End cap guide 240includes tube fitting member 490 for slideably receiving one end ofsingle vertical support sub-member 302 b. End cap pivot tabs 435 areattached to tube fitting 490 and are then rotatably joined with feet 234by pivot means 484 at connector tabs 441, thereby forming pivot points(448, FIGS. 4A, B).

FIG. 4D is another plan view from above the base 206 that illustratessliding guide 232, which includes tube fitting member 299 for slideablyreceiving single vertical support sub-member 302 b. Sliding guide pivottabs 485 are attached to tube fitting member 299 and are then rotatablyjoined with support braces 230 at brace pivot attachments 231 a by pivotmeans 483, thereby forming pivot points (231 a, FIGS. 4A, B). FIG. 4E isa plan view of the sliding guide 232 from the side.

FIG. 5A is a plan view from above a foot 234 showing the top surface 502of foot 234. Foot 234 is of a triangular shape with its peak illustratedby dashed line 506. The triangular shape is more easily seen side viewsin FIGS. 5B and 5C. FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the relationshipbetween brace pivot standoff tab 440 and foot pivot tab 441. Those ofskill in the art will appreciate that the triangular shape of the feet234 provides better stability because the space 402 created therebyaccommodates variations in the terrain upon which the base rests and theedges created provide resistance against slipping along the restingsurface.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate plan side and end views respectively of largesingle “T” connectors 214. Weld nuts 606 in combination with thumbscrews (not shown), provide easy assembly and disassembly of the modules200, 300, and 350, as well as simple assembly and disassembly of morecomplex combinations of multiple modules of the invention as will beillustrated below. The diameter of tubes 602 and 604 are substantiallyequal, and is designed to couple tube segments of modules 200, 300 and350 that make up the single vertical support member 202 or sub-members302 a, to horizontal support members 212 a, and b, which are preferablyall made from tube segments of identical dimensions to render theminterchangeable for purposes of easy assembly and adaptation.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate plan side and end views respectively of largedouble “T” connectors 700, which are not shown in illustrations ofmodules 200, 300 and 350, but they make it possible to permit a modulethat has mirrored horizontal members 212 a, b extending in bothhorizontal directions for example, in lieu of a paper target on oneside. They can also be used to interconnect tube segments betweenconfigurations of two or more modules as illustrated in FIG. 16E. Weldnuts 706 in combination with thumb screws (not shown), provide easyassembly and disassembly of the modules 200, 300, and 350, as well assimple assembly and disassembly of more complex combinations of multiplemodules of the invention as will be illustrated below. The diameter oftubes 702, 704 a and 704 b are substantially equal, and thereforedesigned to couple a single vertical (through tube 702) and twohorizontal tube segments together (through 704 a and 704 b), which arepreferably all made of identical dimensions.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate plan side and end views respectively oflarge/small single “T” connectors 226. Weld nuts 806 in combination withthumb screws (not shown), provide easy assembly and disassembly of themodules 200, 300, and 350, as well as simple assembly and disassembly ofmore complex combinations of multiple modules of the invention as willbe illustrated below. The diameter of tubes 802 and 804 are of differentdiameters to couple the larger diameter single vertical support member202 and/or sub-members 302 a and 302 b to the smaller diameter tubesegments 222 used to frame the paper targets 220, 320 a-b.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate plan side and end views respectively oflarge/small double “T” connectors 900, which are not shown inillustrations of modules 200, 300 and 350, but where it is desirable fora module to have two paper or zone targets, each coupled to the singlevertical support member 202 and/or sub-members 302 a and 302 b. In thatcase, tube section 902 is of a larger diameter to accommodate the singlevertical support of the module and the smaller diameter tubes 904 a and904 b are of a smaller diameter to support the smaller horizontalmembers 222 used to frame the paper targets 220. Weld nuts 906 incombination with thumb screws (not shown), are used to secure the tubesegments within the connector 900.

Target locking collars 216 are illustrated in FIG. 10A (side view) andFIG. 10B (end view). The diameter of tube connector 1002 is of adiameter to accommodate the diameter of the tube segments that are usedfor horizontal members 212 a and 212 b, and are designed for supportingthe metal targets 208, 210, 376, 374 as well as other alternativelyshaped metal targets. Weld nut 1004 in combination with a thumb screw(not shown), makes it easy to couple targets to the members, as well asremove or rearrange them. The targets are placed over the horizontalmember tube segments 212 a, b between two locking collars that keep thetargets in place. A more detailed description of the targets 208, 210,376, 374 are presented below.

FIGS. 11A and 11B present side and end views respectively of connectorsleeve 370, which is used to join together single vertical sub-members302 a and 302 b. Thus connector sleeve 370 is a tube segment that has adiameter that accommodates receiving the single vertical sub-members andweld nuts 1104 to receive thumb screws (not shown), serve to lock thetwo sub-members 302 a and 302 b together to make a single verticalsupport member for the modules 300, 350. As previously discussed, thispermits the sub-members 302 a and 302 b to be a standardized size alongwith the horizontal members 212 a, b. This also permits the module toexpand both vertically as well as horizontally using standard tubesegment sizes and permits them to be used interchangeably for eitherpurpose.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate plan views from the front and side of roundtarget 210. Round target 210 has a tube mount fitting 1216 attachedthereto that is sized to rotatably receive the horizontal member 212 a,b (or any other horizontal members attached to the single verticalsupport member of a module). It is flanked on either side by targetlocking collars 216 to keep it from sliding along the horizontal member212 a, b but it is rotationally uninhibited. Target has a neck 1218 thatextends to a target body 1220 that can be, for example, eight inches indiameter. The target is preferably made of either A36 steel for lowerpower weapons, or it can be AR500 steel for use with higher poweredweapons. The targets can be plasma cut or hydro (water jet) cut to suitany desired shape or size.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate plan views from the front and side of roundtarget 208. Round target 208 has a tube mount fitting 1222 attachedthereto that that is sized to rotatably receive the horizontal member212 a, b (or any other horizontal members attached to the singlevertical member of a module). When coupled to the module, it is flankedon either side by target locking collars 216 to keep it from slidingalong the horizontal member 212 a, b but it is rotationally uninhibited.Target has a neck 1224 that extends to a target body 1226 that can be,for example, 10 or 12 inches in diameter. The target is preferably madeof either A36 ⅜′ steel for lower power weapons, or it can be AR500 ⅜′steel for use with higher powered weapons. The targets can be madethinner or thicker than ⅜″ if desired. The targets can be plasma cut orhydro (water jet) cut to suit any desired shape or size.

FIG. 14 illustrates a target 374 having a diamond shape target body 1408that extends from target neck 1406. Tube mount fitting 1404 is coupledto the backside of the target neck and is sized to rotatably receive thehorizontal member 212 a, b of the standard module of the invention 200,300, 350. One benefit of the target coupling technique of the invention(in particular the use of tube members and tube fittings) is that thetarget, when allowed to hang freely without substantial rotationalimpedance, naturally rotates away from a shooter to form a target angleof about 8-15 degrees from perpendicular. This is true for all of thesteel targets disclosed herein, independent of size and/or shape of thesteel target. This angle causes shrapnel 1412 from a bullet 1410 to bedirected mostly downward upon impact. In addition, the fact that thetarget is able to rotate still further away from the shooter helps toabsorb the impact of the bullet as well, even further adding to thedeadening of the impact and a substantial reduction in the forward axial(i.e. sidewise) scattering of the shrapnel 1412 from the bullet.

FIGS. 15A-C illustrate a perspective, a side plan and a front plan viewof a double diamond spinning target 1500 respectively. Double spinningtarget 1500 has two diamond shaped targets 1512, 1514 each coupledthrough set-off supports 1516 to tube fitting 1510 which slips over ahorizontal member 212 a, b. Again, the benefit of using tube members andfittings permits an easy implementation of a spinning target. Fitting1510 is simply slipped over the horizontal members and surrounded by alocking collar 216. While locking collar 216 prevents horizontalmovement of the target, permitting the fitting 1510 to freely rotateabout tubular horizontal members 212 a, b allows momentum from a bullethitting the target bodies 1512, 1514 to impart angular momentum andspinning the target.

As previously discussed, the modularity of the invention permits asimple number of standardized components to be easily assembled intocomplex arrangements based on the standard module 200, 300, 350 of theinvention. For example, FIG. 16A illustrates an arrangement of twomodules 300 a, b of the invention interconnected by a horizontal targetconfiguration 1600 that includes a horizontal member 212 a, to which agroup 1602 of three sizes of round targets 208, 210 are attached. Thus,the entire target configuration has two paper targets 220 a, 220 b andthe group of three round targets 1602. FIG. 16B illustrates aconfiguration similar to that illustrated in FIG. 16A, but the twomodules are coupled together with two horizontal target configurations1600 a and 1600 b.

FIG. 16C illustrates a configuration that further illustrates theflexibility of the modular target system of the invention. Module 200 bhas a paper target as previously illustrated. The single verticalsupport member 302 a, b of module stanchion 1700 supports a dueling treecomponent 1700 attached thereto, which has rotating targets 174. Duelingtree component 1702 is commercially available as a kit from, forexample, BullseyeMetals at www.BullseyeMetals.com. The dueling treecomponent 1702 is simply coupled to the single vertical support member302 a, b of a stanchion of the module of the invention to form a modulemodified to provide a dueling tree target. The two modules are thencoupled together horizontally just as are the modules of FIG. 16B.

FIG. 16D illustrates a system configuration made up of three modules ofthe invention. Module 200 a is a standard module with a paper target 220a to the left and coupled through a horizontal configuration 1600 a to acenter module stanchion 1700 to which a dueling tree 1702 is coupled. Athird standard module 200 b of the invention is also coupled through asecond horizontal target configuration 1600 b to center module stanchion1700 a. It will be appreciated that the two horizontal targetconfigurations can be established at any height that is desirable alongthe vertical support members of the modules. It will be furtherappreciated that the modules are completely interchangeable, as are thetargets attached thereto. Finally, it will be appreciated thatre-configuration of the modules individually, as well as with respect tothe more complex configuration, is quite easy and takes very littletime, as it merely requires the loosening and tightening of thumbscrewsto effectuate assembly and disassembly of the various components of thetarget system of the invention of the invention as previously describedabove.

FIG. 16E illustrates how easily complex target systems can beconfigured, as the system can be expanded without limit in thehorizontal direction by simply coupling additional modules togetherthrough horizontal target configurations 1600 a-f, and can even beexpanded in the vertical direction by adding additional vertical supportsub-members 302 a, b to the single vertical support members 302 of themodules 200 as well. In this way, the modular target system of theinvention can provide literally an unlimited number of targets, andtypes of targets as may be desired, ranging from a standalone module200, 300, 350 to a target system having a virtually unlimited number ofsuch modules interconnected with one another through horizontal targetconfigurations 1500 a-f. Horizontal target configurations 1600 a-f arecoupled together at modules 1700 a and 1700 b by large double Tconnectors 700.

One additional feature of an embodiment of the invention can includesteel shield members that can be coupled to EMT tube members of theinvention to prevent damage to the tubular members and DOM fittings fromstray bullets. The shield members can include locking collars such aslocking collars 216, which are welded to the backside of the shieldmembers and may be slipped over the tubular members and held in placewith the thumb screws and weld nuts as previously described forattaching targets to the tubular members, as well as attaching duelingtree targets to the stanchions of the modules of the invention. Theshield members can be made from A36 angle iron or AR500 flat stock,depending upon how powerful the weapons are that will be used.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular target shooting system, comprising: atleast one target module comprising: a single vertical support member; asingle support base removably coupled to a proximal end of the verticalsupport member, the support base for supporting a distal end of thevertical support member in a substantially vertical orientation withrespect to a surface upon which it rests; at least one horizontalsupport member, removably coupled to the vertical support member in asubstantially perpendicular orientation to the vertical support memberand parallel to the resting surface; and at least one target removablycoupled to the module.
 2. The modular target system of claim 1, whereinthe single vertical support member and the at least one horizontalmember are tubular.
 3. The modular target system of claim 2, wherein theat least one horizontal support member is removably coupled to thesingle vertical support member with a tubular T connector, the at leastone horizontal support member and the single vertical support memberbeing removably secured within the T connector by a thumb screw and aweld nut.
 4. The modular target system of claim 2, wherein the at leastone target is coupled to the at least one horizontal support member, theat least one target having a tube mount fitting that is sized torotatably receive the horizontal support member, the target beingconstrained in the horizontal direction along the horizontal supportmember by locking collars secured to the at least one horizontal memberon either side of the tube mount fitting.
 5. The modular target systemof claim 4, wherein the coupled at least one target is free to rotateabout the at least one horizontal member, and the weight of the at leastone target causes the target to rotate away from a shooter, therebyabsorbing impact of projectiles and encouraging a downward momentum ofany resulting shrapnel.
 6. The modular target system of claim 3, whereinthe single base further comprises: an end cap that is removably coupledto the proximate end of the single vertical support member; and at leastthree feet, a proximal end of each of the at least three feet beingpivotably coupled to the end cap, the at least three feet configured tobe pivoted between, and fixed at, a fully deployed supporting state anda retracted state.
 7. The modular target system of claim 6, wherein thesingle base further includes a sliding guide through which the singlevertical support member is disposed, wherein: each of the at least threefeet are in pivotal communication with the sliding guide so that raisingthe sliding guide along the single vertical support member causes thefeet to pivot into the retracted state and lowering the sliding guidealong the single vertical support member causes the feet to pivot into adeployed state, and the sliding guide includes a thumb screw that iscapable of being brought into securing contact with the single verticalsupport member when tightened into a weld nut to prevent the guide fromsliding.
 8. The modular target system of claim 3, wherein the at leastone target is a zone target.
 9. The modular target system of claim 8,wherein the zone target includes a paper target disposed between twopaper target horizontal members coupled to the single vertical supportmember, and a steel target coupled to a horizontal member such that thesteel target is disposed behind the paper target to define a targetzone.
 10. The modular target system of claim 3, wherein the at least onetarget is a dueling tree target coupled to the single vertical supportmember.
 11. The modular target system of claim 3, wherein the at leastone target module includes at least one target coupled to at least onehorizontal support member that is coupled to the single vertical supportmember, and a paper target coupled to the single vertical supportmember.
 12. The modular target system of claim 3, having at least twotarget modules, the at least two target modules coupled together by ahorizontal target configuration, the horizontal target configurationincluding a horizontal support member and one or more targets coupledthereto.
 13. The modular target system of claim 3 wherein the singlevertical support member and the at least one horizontal support memberare made from electrical metallic tubing (EMT).
 14. The modular targetsystem of claim 3 wherein the single vertical support member is made oftwo sub-members of equal dimensions removably held together by a tubularconnector sleeve having at least two thumb screws for securing each ofthe sub-members within the connector sleeve.
 15. The modular targetsystem of claim 14 wherein the sub-members and the at least onehorizontal member are of equal dimension.
 16. A modular target shootingsystem, comprising: at least one target module comprising: a singlevertical support member made from EMT; a single support base removablycoupled to a proximal end of the vertical support member, the supportbase for supporting a distal end of the vertical support member in asubstantially vertical orientation with respect to a surface upon whichit rests; at least one horizontal support member made from EMT,removably coupled to the vertical support member with a tubular Tconnector in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the verticalsupport member and parallel to the resting surface; and at least onesteel target rotatably coupled to the at least one horizontal member ata tube mount fitting that is sized to rotatably receive the horizontalsupport member, the steel target constrained in a horizontal directionby a tubular locking collar secured to either side of the tube mountfitting.
 17. The modular target shooting system of claim 16, wherein thesingle support base further comprises: a tubular end cap that isremovably coupled to the proximal end of the tubular single verticalsupport member; at least three feet, a proximal end of each of the atleast three feet being pivotably coupled to the end cap, the at leastthree feet configured to be pivoted between, and fixed at, a fullydeployed supporting state and a retracted state; and a tubular slidingguide through which the tubular single vertical support member isdisposed, wherein each of the at least three feet are in pivotalcommunication with the sliding guide so that raising the sliding guidealong the single vertical support member causes the feet to pivot intothe retracted state and lowering the sliding guide along the singlevertical support member causes the feet to pivot into a deployed state,and wherein the sliding guide includes a thumb screw that is capable ofbeing brought into securing contact with the tubular single verticalsupport member when tightened within a weld nut to prevent the guidefrom sliding.
 18. The modular target shooting system of claim 17,further comprising at least one zone target, the at least one zonetarget being a paper target disposed between two paper target tubularhorizontal members coupled to the tubular single vertical supportmember, and a steel target coupled to a horizontal member such that thesteel target is disposed behind the paper target to define a targetzone.
 19. The modular target system of claim 18, having at least twotarget modules, the at least two target modules coupled together by atleast one horizontal target configuration, the at least one horizontaltarget configuration including a tubular horizontal support member andone or more steel targets coupled thereto.
 20. The modular target systemof claim 19 wherein the tubular single vertical support member of atleast one of target modules is coupled to a dueling tree targetattachment.